The Concordia Research Station provides a unique location for preparatory activities for future human journey to Mars, to explore microbial diversity at subzero temperatures and monitor the dissemination of human-associated microorganisms within the pristine surrounding environment. The present study was performed in the frame of the BacFinder project (European Space Agency, ESA AO-13-Concordia) with the aim to unravel the environmental- and human-associated microbial diversity in the surrounding of the Concordia Station. This is the first intensive and extensive surface snow sampling performed monthly over a two-year period at three distances (10, 500, and 1000 m) from the Concordia Station, and investigated by a high-throughput sequencing approach. Emphasis was laid on the relation between microbial presence and both seasonality and distance from the Base. Data suggested that if present the anthropogenic impact was below the detection limit of the employed DNA sequencing-based techniques. On the other hand, our study corroborated the use of DNA sequencing for revealing microbial presence in remote and hostile environments, with implications for Planetary Protections and for life-detection in astrobiology relevant targets.

Concentrations of major, minor and trace elements in particulate matter (PM10) samples, collected at Concordia with monthly time resolution, since January 2018, obtained by PIXE-PIGE and HR-ICP-MS measurements.

Isotopic composition (Pb and Sr) in particulate matter (PM10) samples, collected at Concordia with monthly time resolution, since January 2018, obtained by ICP-MS.

Surface ozone data, collected through a UV-absorption analyzer (49i or 49c)

ISMAR_AN95 (?) ORA di BAIA TERRA NOVA ctd dicembre 1994 - CTD casts in the Ross Sea Station AN94043 - AN94045 - AN94046 - AN94047 - AN94048 - AN94049 - AN94050 - AN94051 - AN94052 - AN94053 - AN94054 - AN94055 - AN94056 - AN94057 - AN94058 - AN94059 - AN94060 - AN94061 - AN94062 - AN94063 - AN94064 - AN94065 - AN94066 - AN94067 - AN94068 - AN94069 - AN94070 - AN94071 - AN94072 - AN94073 - AN94074 - AN94075 - AN94076

Trophic interactions underlie coexistence mechanisms between species and affect biodiversity and heavy metal bioaccumulation processes. Sea ice dynamics, which at Terra Nova Bay is characterized by an extraordinary seasonality, drives interspecific interactions. Indeed, the activation of the primary production after sea-ice break up opens alternative trophic pathways for consumers. By means of C and N stable isotope analyses, the present project aims at (i) determining food web structure at Terra Nova Bay at different bathymetries and in opposite sea-ice cover conditions; (ii) evaluating heavy metal bioaccumulation in species along food chains, including fish of commercial interests, both in the presence and absence of photosynthetic primary producers. The hypothesis to be tested is if the activation of primary producers following sea-ice break up significantly modifies the food web structure and stability against species loss, as well as heavy metals concentration along food chains. Data on Antarctic food webs are scarce, and even scarcer is our knowledge on mechanisms of primary and secondary biodiversity loss and biomagnification processes in invertebrates and fish. The present research project will shed light on mechanisms underlying biodiversity maintenance in the Antarctic ecosystem and on risks for human health related to heavy metals accumulation in fish species currently or potentially exploited commercially, also in light of expected changes in the extension of sea ice cover. A valuable reference baseline will be established for future studies at the Italian Antarctic Station and for the Marine Protected Area in the Ross Sea.

The efficacy and reliability of low-impact technologies were tested to document the occurrence and distribution of Antarctic toothfish in sea-ice covered coastal areas at Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea). Ancillary information, including main water column parameters (temperature, salinity, density, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, and turbidity), was collected at each sampling station.

Permafrost hosts a potentially large pool of microorganisms, which is supposed to be the only life forms known to have retained viability over geological time. Thawing of the permafrost renews their physiological activity and exposes ancient life to modern ecosystems (Gilichinsky et al, 2008). The adaptation mechanisms of microorganisms, at species or population level, make them susceptible to extreme environmental conditions. The survival of microorganisms in permafrost raises the question of what constitutes the limit for microbial life (Steven et al., 2006; Wagner 2008).

We will collect oral samples from the volunteers at the Mario Zucchelli Station at different time points, using safe and not harmfull kits. Samples will be analysed by shotgun metagenomic sequencing, considering only the microbial component.

We will collect skin samples from the volunteers at the Mario Zucchelli Station at different time points, using safe and not harmfull kits. Samples will be analysed by shotgun metagenomic sequencing, considering only the microbial component.